Jean Pennycook
National Science Foundation
Education and Human Resources Directorate, Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings, Discovery Research K-12 Program
California – Grades 7-8, Environmental Education
Jean Pennycook has served her multi-cultural, multi-lingual urban school district in Fresno, California, for over 20 years as a secondary science teacher providing high quality curriculum and classroom experiences in biology, earth science, physical science, chemistry and most recently environmental studies. Jean has a passion to engage her students in the sciences and to encourage them to pursue careers in the STEM fields as she works tirelessly to prepare them for success in college. She takes particular pride in providing a classroom experience which encourages the next generation to be life-long learners and scientifically literate adults in whatever academic and career paths they may take.
For two years Jean took her passion for teaching overseas, accepting a position with the American International School of Florence, Italy, where she was challenged to provide science education across the disciplines to students speaking several different languages. This experience changed Jean and her family’s world view as their struggle to adjust to a foreign culture, language and education system provided a life long sensitivity to others who come to America.
Jean’s enthusiasm for the teaching of science is reflected in her many awards and accomplishments as an educator including: NASA teacher grants, Sierra Club Environmental Educator of the Year, NSF Teachers Experiencing Antarctica award, and district and state level committees and boards. Most recently, Jean has been nationally recognized as she translates and repackages the science research of Antarctica for classrooms around the world. Her focus on Adelie Penguins makes the excitement of discovery available to all through an interactive website. Over the internet she provides a virtual field trip to that extraordinary continent.
Jean holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Fisheries Biology from the University of California, Davis, and a Masters of Science Education and Curriculum from California State University, Fresno.
Pennycook is serving her second fellowship year at the National Science Foundation, Education and Human Resources Directorate, Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings, Discovery Research K-12 Program.